Russia, Ukraine agree to ceasefire in Oleshky starting October 29

The White House announced on October 23, 2026, that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a temporary ceasefire in Oleshky, a Russian-controlled city in Ukraine's Kherson region, beginning October 29. The agreement aims to enable humanitarian aid delivery and the evacuation of civilians through a designated safe passageway. According to the White House statement, Melania Trump, the US First Lady, initiated discussions and worked directly with Russian and Ukrainian leadership to negotiate the terms.

Oleshky has experienced severe humanitarian conditions since its capture by Russian forces in February 2022. The city's population has declined from approximately 24,000 before the war to an estimated 1,700–2,000 residents, primarily elderly people and about 50 children. Residents have reported critical shortages of food, drinking water, medicine, and electricity, with supplies depleted since February 2022. About 90 percent of the city was flooded following the 2023 destruction of the Kakhovka Dam. Ukrainian authorities have stated that residents face mined roads and regular military attacks.

According to the White House, non-military civilian leaders from both nations will coordinate the humanitarian operation and assist residents who wish to evacuate to their preferred destination in either Russia or Ukraine. The Russian Defence Ministry's chief of staff, Valery Gerasimov, stated that Russian troops would halt fire from 4 a.m. local time on October 29. Ukraine's top negotiator, David Arakhamia, confirmed on Telegram that the humanitarian operation would begin once the ceasefire took effect. An unnamed American media organization—identified by Newsmax as that outlet—will accompany the teams to document the process.

Neither Russia nor Ukraine had publicly confirmed the agreement's terms as of October 23. The Kremlin welcomed the announcement and praised Melania Trump's role, noting that President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin had discussed details. The agreement follows renewed US diplomatic efforts to end the broader conflict, with US special envoy Steve Witkoff having met with Putin in St. Petersburg on October 22, and the Kremlin agreeing in principle to resume trilateral talks in November.

Melania Trump stated in the White House announcement: "The situation in Oleshky is dire. Oleshky is a front-line war city on the brink of disaster. It was abundantly clear that without my intervention, the possibility to bring humanitarian aid into the city and to evacuate the elderly would be impossible." The First Lady has previously worked on humanitarian issues related to the conflict, including efforts to reunite 34 Russian and Ukrainian children with their families.